A Request to Comment

It is widely recognized that New York has a corruption problem. Polling shows that over 80 percent of registered voters think corruption in Albany is a “serious problem.” The current institutional mechanisms to deter corruption in state government are clearly inadequate to the task. This draft proposal, drafted by reform groups, is designed to simplify the current mechanisms, increase uniformity and fairness in the application of the law, and improve the efficacy of the current anti-corruption structure by creating a Commission on State Government Integrity with the power to both fine and discipline officers and employees in both the executive and legislative branches.

Any members of the public, reform groups, interested organizations, persons and entities affected, experts in governmental ethics and other anti-corruption measures, academics and any others wishing to comment are invited to submit comments on the following draft of a proposed New York State constitutional amendment to deter corruption and promote transparent and honest government by March 9, 2018.

Reducing Conflicts of Interest and Increasing Transparency in District Attorney Campaign Fundraising

Make sure to read CAPI's report based on our independent review of the campaign fundraising practices of Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr. The report—which was requested by Vance in October 2017 following media reports suggesting that certain charging decisions may have been influenced by campaign contributions—provides seven recommendations to improve policies around soliciting and accepting campaign donations to avoid actual and perceived conflicts of interest as well as unconscious biases. Read the full report here.